Social Workers’ Day-President for sustained investment in social education |04 October 2007

This comes in President Michel’s message on the occasion of Social Workers’ Day being celebrated today.

The full text of President Michel’s message reads:
“On the occasion of this year’s Social Workers’ Day, it gives me great pleasure to join the rest of our population in expressing our appreciation and recognition to all Seychellois social workers for the challenging work that they do everyday.

“This day is significant because it allows us to appreciate the unnoticed contribution that our social workers make to our society. It is noble for us as individuals, families, communities and as a people to aspire to be a healthy, productive and happy nation. But it is more noble to inspire others to have new reasons to live. This is what our social workers do everyday through their work.

“As social workers, you are the ones who know the realities, who face the challenges and rewards of supporting some of our most vulnerable groups.

“Social work is constantly evolving.  Together, we have to confront the challenges of our changing society.  The values that underpin our social services - the recognition that we achieve more together than we ever can alone – are more relevant today than they have ever been.

“As human beings we all encounter difficulties and challenges in our lives. And sometimes, many of us have felt the pressure and pain of facing up to these challenges. “Our social workers should be appreciated for their work because apart from their own personal difficulties and challenges they have to help others in need.

“Their work should be recognized because even when their own pain is hard to bear, they have to turn up for work and help others who are in far greater pain than them. Their profession should be respected and admired because they have dedicated themselves to the service of the vulnerable and marginalized members of our society.

“I am encouraged by the theme for this year’s day – ‘Social work for the love of our people’ - because it reflects the essence and spirit of the qualities needed to be a true social worker. Everyone can be a professional social worker with the right training and qualifications. But it takes a special attitude and heart to be a true social worker.
“Social work is more than a job - it is a vocation. Motivation is everything; a motivated worker gets extraordinary things done while an unmotivated staff member achieves day to day things.  And in social work there is no ‘day to day’.

“Increasingly, social workers find themselves having to be multi-skilled professionals and social work now often requires a multi-disciplinary approach. I am confident that the restructuring of the Ministry of Social Development & Health will facilitate this.

“I am also proud to note that through the proposed Social Workers’ Council Bill, there is an improved framework for the essential work of our social workers in our society. 

“Government will continue to offer you support in any way it can.  We need a continued and sustained investment in social education and training.  The Social Worker’s Council will also further facilitate this.

“On this final note, I would like to wish you all a Happy Social Workers’ Day and to thank you all for your dedication to your noble profession.”